Geocache Name:

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

2/4

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

First, to clear things up: we don’t condone taking unnecessary risks in order to find a geocache. No find is worth getting hurt over. And in fact, in order to find this geocache, you don’t have to walk along the precarious pathways bolted into the cliffside. That being said, very few times will you get the chance to do something this cool. And just think of the amazing selfies you could take! The pathways were developed several hundred years ago by those seeking to reach the mountain peaks for their religious significance. In more recent years, this has become a popular tourism spot. The Chinese government has incorporated more safety measures to the vertigo-inducing paths to ensure that everyone gets a chance to safely make the journey. Just google “the most dangerous hike in the world” or “Hua Shan” for plenty of more pictures and info.

What geocachers are saying:

“Finding this cache was a great adventure. Huashan is a wonderful mountain and we enjoyed our day very much.” – poizon

“This is the cache I have worked mostly to get. 3 hours of climbing stairs. I tried to count the stairs, but I gave up, reaching 1600. I think we climbed more than 2000 steps…Thanks to >>SCK_ARo<< for this cache.” – Lyngerup.dk

“After climbing incredibly many many steps, we found out that we have forgotten to check a photohint, but fortunately we found it anyway. Box was empty, so we tried to fullfill it with travelbugs. Hua Shan cache will be the most precious point of mine!” – GeoEfka

Geocache Name:

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

1.5/1

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

Geocaches take on many forms: some are cool containers, some are in interesting places and some are mind-bending puzzles. This week’s Geocache of the Week is a combination of all three. The geocache itself is an incredibly well-made, large cryptex. Geocachers have to use the clues in the description to decipher the code, then line up the different wheels in the right spot to release the geocache. The place where this geocache resides is also interesting. “A Moagem” in Portuguese translates to “The Grind”, which is appropriate since the geocache is placed inside a grinding mill that has now been transformed into a museum, arts exhibit and meeting place. After you earn your smiley, you can even take a look at some of the original grinding machinery.

What the geocache owner, fundao365, has to say:

With this cache we used the concept of indoor geocaching. After understanding this kind of cache rules with the help of the reviewer btreviewer, we started the developement and prototyping process. We take this opportunity to thank him for the cooperation. The cache is inside a reconstructed milling house, that a long time ago used to collect the rye seeds from the local producers and produce the flour. According to this, we inspired in the grindstone to build the cache. We also thought that the container opening method should be as original as the design. After thinking about a few possibilities, we came to decide to build a big dimensions cryptex with an opening device that looks like a grindstone.

The geocache is inside a museum, how did this partnership come about?

The museum belongs to Fundão city hall. The team fundao365 is composed by some of its employees, that share the passion of geocaching. The partnership was born naturally.

Can you talk about how you created this geocache?

The cache was developed and created in Fab Lab Aldeias do Xisto, that is a Digital fabrication laboratory recently created by Fundão city hall, wich main goal is to support open access to entrepreneurship and idea development.

What do you think of all the positive logs and favorite points?

It’s rewarding seeing that our work is being recognised by the geocaching community and it is an inspiration to future projects that we are already working on.

Is there anything you’d like to say to the geocaching community?

We appreciate the opportunity that Groundspeak gave us to invite all geocaching community to visit Fundão and meet its wonderfull territory, wich has too much to offer to geocachers. We’d also like to promote our nearest Mountain: Serra da Gardunha, that has an unique landscape and offers other activities like mountain bike, hiking, Hang gliding, canoeing etc…

What geocachers are saying:

[all translated from Portuguese]

“Excellent cache that I got to know during the event held on the same day. Cache that deserves a visit from all geocachers.Thanks to the owner for sharing.” – jccms

“I confess that I was very impressed with the work that went into the design of the container and was even more surprised with the logbook cover is genius. Throughout originality gets the deserved FAVORITE!” – scalpelman

“…this is wonderful, very original and well thought out! now here’s a cache to last a few many years! TFTC” – grilo85

Photos and video:

The museum where the geocache is located.The geocache in its natural habitat. Photo courtesy of fundao365This could be your view—if you decipher the code and open the geocache. Photo courtesy of fundao365An up-close view of the locking mechanism. Photo courtesy of fundao365

What’s the most well-made geocache you’ve ever found? Tell us in the comments.

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog.

Geocache Name:

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

2/2

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

With much of the world in the grips of World Cup fever (Go USA!), we thought it would be a great time to show off some of the cool geocaches in Brazil. This week, we’re near the city of Manaus, where the soccer/football matches between England & Italy, Cameroon & Croatia, United States & Portugal, and Honduras & Switzerland will take place. For the fans visiting this area, finding this Earthcache is a must. At this location, the Amazon River and Rio Negro come together, creating an incredibly unique view of dark and light waters mixing together. If you’re lucky, you’ll even catch a glimpse of one of the pink dolphins that frequent the area.

What geocachers are saying:

“What a fun day! Took a tour with David Andrade’s Amazon Jungle Tours, filled small bottles with water from both rivers, swam with the pink dolphins, and more!” – molokaihuakai

“Very cool at this location! To me the darker water was colder today! Thanks for this earthcache!” – bubbag04

“Cast away on an Amazonas Beach!!! Next Year we will come back… FIFA Wold CUP 2014!!! Thanks for the cache” – Günni Ka-Li

Photos:

Making the find. Photo by geocacher msstrongTake a dip! Photo by geocacher LieveheersbeestjeIt looks like coffee to me. Photo by geocacher TheBraendlis

2-part question: What country are you rooting for in the World Cup and what’s your favorite geocache in that country? Tell us in the comments.

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, leave a comment below with the name of the geocache, the GC code, and why you think we should feature it.

Geocache Name:

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

2.5/1.5

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

Last April, the Geocaching HQ videographer, reidsomething, had the opportunity to visit Bruges and attend a Mega-Event. While she was there, she had the opportunity to meet two geocachers and explore one of their multi-caches. Check out the video above to learn more about what makes this multi-cache amazing.

“The thing we mostly like [about placing geocaches] is to think about something new and to work it out in our heads. Also exploring the area and seeing where we can do what is fun. Give our ideas shape. It is pleasing to see that our hard work is appreciated. Positive logs ensure the cache remains well maintained so other cachers can also enjoy. It also encourages you to get back to work and look for ideas for a new cache.”

To Geocachers: “Be original and surprise us! Do not be scared of things of which you know nothing, as in our case the electrical system. There are always people around you who can help a hand with the technical development of your ideas.”

What geocachers are saying:

“Yesterday we found WP1 and WP2, but it was too late for the rest. This morning we decided to continue before leaving Bruges and it was worth it. The last stages were very interesting and with a little help we could find the final, where we did not dare to search. Very recommendable!” – dbox

“Thanks for a truly excellent cache…A brilliant first multi in Brugge! With a little help from the kind lady – as two clues were temporarily inaccessible. We like the squares picture because of the bright colours and unusual shapes. SL. Did swaps. Left GC. TFTC. Favourited.” – mykey987

“Had a lovely time learning about the history of how this cache came to be from the fabulous cache owners. Bruges is lucky to have such creative and thoughtful hiders in their geocaching community. Thank you Stef & Sara for the great afternoon.” – reidsomething

Photos:

The final location. Photo by geocacher vdv_elsArt within the church. Photo by clyden’bonnieCan you find this geocache? Photo by geocacher Beastg

Multi-caches are great ways to see more than one place via geocache. What sort of “tours” have multi-caches taken you on? Tell us in the comments.

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, leave a comment below with the name of the geocache, the GC code, and why you think we should feature it.

Geocache Name:

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

2.5/2

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

First, check out the video up top—that should clear up most of it. This geocache shows an incredibly creative use of the Arduino computing platform. We’ve seen geocaches with pretty creative locks, but never one where you actually have to knock before it will let you in. Furthermore, this geocache, which seems like a pretty complicated device, was conceived and built by a CO with no technical background. His dedication to learning the proper way to build and program is a great example for geocachers looking to hide the next Geocache of the Week.

It was coincidence, really. I happened to see a copy of Make Magazine (vol 25) on the shelf for the first time. I picked it up because it looked interesting. There was an article showing how to build a secret knock gumball machine that would dispense a piece of candy when the correct knock was given. I immediately realized that this could be adapted to lock a geocache.

Do you have a programming or technical background?

None at all. Before this project the most I had done was poorly solder some speaker wires together in an old Jeep, and I once got about 200 lines into a Zork knock-off in Basic on my C-64 when I was a kid. I just picked up an Arduino Uno, a soldering iron, some parts, and started reading. Thankfully Arduino microcontrollers are designed to be easy to program and use, and there’s a very helpful community behind them. Going from nothing to the completed cache took about 3 months of occasional dabbling.

What has been your reaction to all of the positive logs and favorite points?

I wasn’t really sure how it would be received. I figured some would appreciate the novelty, but they might ultimately be put off by it not being a park and grab. It can also be a little fiddly, so I was worried it wouldn’t work right and just frustrate finders when they couldn’t get it to open up. I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by the comments, favorites, and messages I’ve received about it. I’m happy to give the local community something a little different to find.

What geocachers are saying:

“We decided that we wanted to do a fun one today, and this cache came to mind. Hlemont, Denver, and I had a great time. The containers for both stages were awesome! Definitely looks like a lot of time went into both stages. Thank you for sharing this cool idea, and neat spots in the park. Everything is in great shape. Favorite point added :D” – Limont

“One of a couple very select caches today. This has been on my “to do” list since it was published and it exceeded by expectations.” – captphil

“This was a really unique cache. I liked how it combined deep woods hides with 21st century technology. The two stages were nicely balanced. Be sure to pay attention at stage one or you will have to go back. Our first several tries at stage two didn’t work, but we finally got our timings aligned and OPEN SESAME the cache revealed itself to us. This was a great excuse to hike in a park I had not previously visited. Very enjoyable. It gets a solid favorite vote from me. TFTC” – TimeSeeker

Photos:

The device in stage 1. Photo courtesy of Mr. 0What you’ll find when you open stage 2. Photo courtesy of Mr. 0If you find the rhythm, you’ll get the reward. Photo courtesy of Mr. 0

What has been your favorite geocache that involves solving a puzzle? Tell us in the comments.

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, leave a comment below with the name of the geocache, the GC code, and why you think we should feature it.